Communications Student Specialist
Academic Year 2026-2027
Highlights
- Hourly rate: $19/hour
- Expected hours per week: 10
- Modality: Hybrid; (twice weekly in-person team meetings at ENR2, otherwise remote)
- Dates: August 2026 - May 2027
Apply on Google Forms: https://forms.gle/bhio4oWbbDZLgQeg7
About the Lovejoy Center
The Lovejoy Center for Bridging Biodiversity, Conservation Science, and Policy is a center at the University of Arizona housed within the Arizona Institute for Resilience. Guided by Thomas Lovejoy's scientific work and unwavering optimism, the Lovejoy Center advances the science and practice of biodiversity conservation through research, education, and cross-sector collaborations. Our team works with conservation science and policy, connecting university research with the people and organizations working towards conservation solutions at scale in the Sonoran Desert, the Amazon, and beyond.
Past student specialists at the Lovejoy Center add, “Student specialists are core contributors, not task-runners. Past student work has been published in policy briefs, presented at university showcases, and used directly by community partners.”
Position Overview
The Communications Student Specialist will work closely with the Program Coordinator in developing communications materials across platforms to support social media and fundraising goals. The successful candidate should be an effective communicator with experience in copywriting (crafting polished, persuasive written text) and identifying the “spark” in everyday life that creates a compelling story. In addition to independent work, this position will require collaboration with center staff, other student workers, affiliated faculty, and center postdocs to highlight a variety of programs, people, research, and achievements.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Independently create original, persuasive written content as assigned
- Proofread and edit long- and short-form written text
- Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to identify storytelling opportunities and capture marketable content during the Lovejoy Center's regular operations
- Create engaging, mission-driven content tailored to platform-specific audiences and formats from long-form news articles to annual report sections to social media blurbs on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky
- Contribute to an annual content calendar/tracker
- Photograph center events
- Interview center affiliates, guest visitors, and community partners
- Provide recommendations on improving center social media and communications strategies based in formal coursework, prior experience, and engagement analytics
- Contribute to maintenance of an organized digital asset library
- Document successful content strategies and best practices for future reference
- Engage with professional development activities across the university
- Provide administrative support to the Program Coordinator
- Attend twice weekly team meetings in person at the ENR2 building
Minimum Qualifications
- Junior or senior undergraduate, or graduate student
- Active University of Arizona student in good academic standing and enrolled in at least 6 credits
- Excellent written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in copywriting, editing, and the production of written communications
- Passion for environmental conservation and resilience
- Experience telling human or nature stories
- Coursework or experience in creative writing, professional writing, or scientific communication
- Academic background in journalism, creative writing, science communication, communications, or similar; or, relevant experience outside the classroom
Application
Please submit the application through Google Forms, which will ask for your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample.
- Cover letters should describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and anything else you would like the committee to know about why you would be a great fit for the Lovejoy Center and the position.
- Please provide a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to independently (without use of AI) create a polished and persuasive written deliverable. Samples could be from a class, personal projects, volunteer work, jobs, or other sources.
Hiring Process
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be scheduled throughout the summer.
Start and End Dates
This position is intended to start in August 2026 and end in May 2027; exact start and end dates are flexible.
Supervision and Support
This position is supervised by the Lovejoy Center Program Coordinator.
Allowable Work Hours
Please note that during the semester, student employees are limited to 25 hours/week (20 hours/week for international students) across ALL U of A positions.
This position expects 5-10 hours a week and is work-study eligible.
International Students
International students should consult with International Student Services (ISS) if work authorization is needed before securing this role. ISS advising information can be found here.
Questions About This Position?
If you have any questions about this position or trouble submitting the application, please contact Lovejoy Center Program Coordinator Phoebe Meixner (pmeixner@arizona.edu).
Apply on Google Forms: https://forms.gle/bhio4oWbbDZLgQeg7